Low power driving method and electronic device performing thereof

ABSTRACT

A low power driving method includes: receiving a signal for a sub control module from a main control module when an electronic device enters a low power mode; and transmitting display data to a display driving module in response to the signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is related to and claims priority of Koreanpatent application No. 10-2014-0020811 filed Feb. 21, 2014, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a low power driving method and anelectronic device performing thereof.

BACKGROUND

Recently, mobile electronic devices such as smartphones, TVs, and tabletPCs support excellent performance and fast speed. Mobile electronicdevices provide various user interface environments in order to increasethe user's convenience. However, as hardware specifications becomehigher and functions and user interface environments become diversified,the amounts of power consumed by electronic devices are increased andaccordingly, the battery capacities of the electronic devices growgradually.

Electronic devices use various methods to minimize the powerconsumption, for example, turning off a specific function of anelectronic device or adjusting brightness or color displayed on anelectronic device after a predetermined time. Additionally, by a user'sdemand, power consumption is reduced by decreasing the speed at which aprocessor is driven (for example, clock speed).

SUMMARY

To address the above-discussed deficiencies, it is a primary object toprovide a low power driving method and an electronic device for reducingpower consumption to increase the operating time of an electronicdevice, thereby improving the usability of an electronic device.

According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a low powerdriving method includes: receiving a signal for a sub control modulefrom a main control module when an electronic device enters a low powermode; and transmitting display data to a display driving module inresponse to the signal.

According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, anelectronic device includes: a display configured to be functionallyconnected to an electronic device; a sub control module configured to bedriven in a low power mode of the electronic device; and a displaydriving module configured to store display data received from the subcontrol module in a first auxiliary storage device and deliver thedisplay data stored in the first auxiliary storage device to a secondauxiliary storage device.

According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, provided isa non-transitory computer readable recoding medium having a programrecorded thereon, which implements: receiving a signal for a sub controlmodule from a main control module when an electronic device enters a lowpower mode; and transmitting display data to a display driving module inresponse to the signal.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” aswell as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term“or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be containedwithin, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with,cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to orwith, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller”means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least oneoperation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware orsoftware, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should benoted that the functionality associated with any particular controllermay be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely.Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout thispatent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understandthat in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, aswell as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates an operation of an electronic device according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an operation of an electronic device according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an operation of an electronic device according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an operation of an electronic device according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an operation of an electronic device according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an electronic device according to various embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a display screen displayed when an electronic deviceis in a low power mode according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a low power driving process according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a low power driving process according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a low power driving process according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates a low power driving process according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a low power driving process according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 12, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure may beimplemented in any suitably arranged wireless communications system.Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosedwith reference to the accompanying drawings. Various modifications arepossible in various embodiments of the present disclosure and specificembodiments are illustrated in drawings and related detaileddescriptions are listed. Thus, it is intended that the presentdisclosure covers the modifications and variations of this disclosureprovided they come within the scope of the appended claims and theirequivalents. With respect to the descriptions of the drawings, likereference numerals refer to like elements.

The term “include,” “comprise,” and “have”, or “may include,” or “maycomprise” and “may have” used herein indicates disclosed functions,operations, or existence of elements but does not exclude otherfunctions, operations or elements. The meaning of “include,” “comprise,”“including,” or “comprising,” specifies a property, a region, a fixednumber, a step, a process, an element or a component but does notexclude other properties, regions, fixed numbers, steps, processes,elements and/or components.

The meaning of the term “or” used herein includes any or allcombinations of the words connected by the term “or”. For instance, theexpression “A or B” can indicate to include A, B, or both A and B.

The terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “first”, “second”, and the like usedherein can refer to modifying various different elements of variousembodiments, but do not limit the elements. For instance, such terms donot limit the order or priority of the elements. Furthermore, such termscan be used to distinguish one element from another element. Forinstance, both “a first user device” and “a second user device” indicatea user device but indicate different user devices from each other. Forexample, a first component can be referred to as a second component andvice versa without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directlyconnected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyconnected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are nointervening elements present.

Terms used herein are used to describe specific embodiments, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The terms of asingular form can include plural forms unless they have a clearlydifferent meaning in the context.

Unless otherwise defined herein, all the terms used herein, whichinclude technical or scientific terms, can have the same meaning that isgenerally understood by a person skilled in the art. It will be furtherunderstood that terms, which are defined in the dictionary and incommonly used, should also be interpreted as is customary in therelevant related art and not in an idealized or overly formal senseunless expressly so defined herein in various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure can have a communication function. For instance, electronicdevices can include at least one of smartphones, tablet personalcomputers (PCs), mobile phones, video phones, electronic book (e-book)readers, desktop personal computers (PCs), laptop personal computers(PCs), netbook computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portablemultimedia player (PMPs), digital audio players, mobile medical devices,cameras, and wearable devices (such as, head-mounted-devices (HMDs) suchas electronic glasses, electronic apparel, electronic bracelets,electronic necklaces, electronic appcessories, electronic tattoos, andsmart watches). According to some embodiments, an electronic device canbe a smart home appliance having a communication function. The smarthome appliances can include at least one of, for example, televisions,digital video disk (DVD) players, audios, refrigerators, airconditioners, cleaners, ovens, microwave ovens, washing machines, aircleaners, set-top boxes, TV boxes (such as, a SAMSUNG HOME SYNC® box,APPLE TV® box, or GOOGLE TV® box), game consoles, electronicdictionaries, electronic keys, camcorders, and electronic pictureframes.

According to certain embodiments, an electronic device includes at leastone of various medical devices (for example, magnetic resonanceangiography (MRA) devices, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices,computed tomography (CT) devices, medical imaging devices, ultrasonicdevices, etc.), navigation devices, global positioning system (GPS)receivers, event data recorders (EDRs), flight data recorders (FDRs),vehicle infotainment devices, marine electronic equipment (for example,marine navigation systems, gyro compasses, etc.), avionics, securityequipment, vehicle head modules, industrial or household robots,financial institutions' automatic teller's machines (ATMs), and stores'point of sales (POS).

According to certain embodiments, an electronic device includes at leastone of furniture or buildings or structures supporting content outputprocessing, electronic boards, electronic signature receiving devices,projectors, or various measuring instruments (for example, water,electricity, gas, or radio signal measuring instruments). An electronicdevice according to various embodiments be one of the above-mentionedvarious devices or a combination thereof. Additionally, an electronicdevice according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can bea flexible device. Furthermore, it is apparent to those skilled in theart that an electronic device according to various embodiments is notlimited to the above-mentioned devices.

Hereinafter, an electronic device according to various embodiments willbe described with the accompanying drawings. The term “user” in variousembodiments can refer to a person using an electronic device or a deviceusing an electronic device (for example, an artificial intelligentelectronic device).

FIG. 1 illustrates an operation of an electronic device according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device 100 includes an applicationprocessor (AP) 110, a display driving module 120, and a display device130. The AP 110 includes a main control module 111, a sub control module112, a communication module 113, a display controller 114, and aninterface module 115. The display driving module 120 includes a controlunit 121, a first auxiliary storage device 122 (for example, RandomAccess Memory (RAM)) and a second auxiliary storage device 123 (forexample, Graphic RAM (GRAM)).

Only components relating to certain embodiments will be described inorder not to obscure the features. Accordingly, it is apparent to thoseskilled in the art that other general components in addition to thecomponents shown in FIG. 1 can be further included.

The electronic device 100 operates in a normal mode or a low power mode.The normal mode represents a state in which the electronic device 100operates normally.

The low power mode represents a state in which power consumption isreduced by adjusting at least some functions of the electronic device100 while the electronic device 100 operates. The low power mode isdistinguished from a sleep mode in which the electronic device 100temporarily limits functions of at least some units and stays in astandby state. For example, although functions (for example, thedisplay) of at least some units are in a non-active state during thesleep mode, they are driven by lower power by adjusting at least somesettings of at least some units during the low power mode. For example,during the low power mode, the AP 110 is in a non-active state, but thesub control module 112 or the communication module 113 can be in anactive state.

The electronic device 100 enters the low power mode by user'smanipulation, its own situation recognition of the electronic device100, or external event occurrence of the electronic device 100. Forexample, when a user cannot charge the battery of the electronic device100, for example, emergency situations such as disaster and distress,the user manually selects the low power mode to allow the electronicdevice 100 to enter the lower power mode. In certain embodiments, whenthe battery capacity of the electronic device 100 is running low, inorder to maintain the basic function of the electronic device 100, theelectronic device 100 autonomously enters the low power mode. In certainembodiments, when an emergency situation such as disaster and distressoccurs, the electronic device 100 automatically enters the low powermode by recognizing a surrounding situation. In certain embodiments,when the electronic device 100 receives a message or push notificationfor notifying the occurrence of an emergency situation such as disasterand distress, it enters the lower power mode.

The AP 110 includes the main control module 111 and control a pluralityof hardware or software components by driving an operating system orexecuting an application program. In certain embodiments, the AP 110performs various data processing and arithmetic operations includingmultimedia data. For example, the AP 110 is implemented with a system onchip (SoC). According to certain embodiments, the AP 110 furtherincludes other modules such as a Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) (notshown). Additionally, although it is shown in FIG. 1 that the AP 110includes the sub control module 112 and the communication module 113,according to various embodiments, the sub control module 112 and thecommunication module 113 are included in a processor separated from theAP 110. For example, the sub control module 112 is included in anadditional processor operating with low power.

The main control module 111 corresponds to a core of the AP 110 or aCentral Processing Unit (CPU). When the electronic device 100 is in anormal mode, the AP 110 performs a related task. For example, in orderto display time information in the electronic device 100, the AP 110drives the display driving module 120. In certain embodiments, the maincontrol module 111 of the AP 110 calculates the current time or receivesthe current time from the communication module 113. The main controlmodule 111 transmits display data corresponding to the current time tothe display driving module 120 through the display controller 114 andthereby, the current time is displayed on the screen of the displaydevice 130.

When the electronic device 100 enters the low power mode, the subcontrol module 112 performs at least some task instead of the maincontrol module 111. The main control module 111 transmits a signal tothe sub control module 112, and the sub control module 112 is driven bythe received signal. The signal includes a control signal for drivingthe sub control module 112 or an interrupt signal for a state change ofthe electronic device 100. For example, the main control module 111transmits a state of the electronic device 100 or a state of the maincontrol module 111. The sub control module 112 determines whether tooperate on the basis of the received signal. For example, the maincontrol module 111 transmits a control signal for driving the subcontrol module 112. After that, the main control module 111 hands overthe control of at least some function or at least some units (forexample, a display) to the sub control module 112, and the some functionor the some units of the main control module 111 are deactivated. Theelectronic device 100 displays data on the screen of the display device130 by the sub control module 112 without waking up the main controlmodule 111.

When the electronic device 100 enters a low power mode, the sub controlmodule 112 receives a signal from the main control module 111. Once thesub control module 112 is driven on the basis of the signal, the subcontrol module 112 transmits display data to the display driving module120 through at least one of the interface module 115 and the displaycontroller 114. The electronic device 100 reduces the power consumed bythe AP 110 by using the sub control module 112 and the interface module115.

According to certain embodiments, unlike the main control module 111,the sub control module 112 does not transmit display data in real-timecontinuously. In certain embodiments, the sub control module 112transmits display data to the display driving module 120 at one time andthen changes into a standby mode.

In the low power mode, the display driving module 120 stores displaydata received from the sub control module 112 in the first auxiliarystorage device 122. The display driving module 120 then sequentiallyupdates the second auxiliary storage device 123 with the display datastored in the first auxiliary storage device 122. By using the firstauxiliary storage device 122 and the second auxiliary storage device123, the sub control module 112 enters a standby mode while data isdisplayed on a display screen by the display driving module 120 and thedisplay device 130.

The sub control module 112 enters a standby mode when a predeterminedevent occurs and transmits display data to the display driving module120. The sub control module 112 detects a predetermined event forrequesting the update of display data stored in the display drivingmodule 120. The sub control module 112 enters from a sleep mode into anoperating mode in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event.The sub control module 112 transmits display data to the display drivingmodule 120. For example, a predetermined event can include a newsupdate, message, push notification, or call.

In certain embodiments, the sub control module 112 transmits displaydata to the display driving module 120 at predetermined periods. Forexample, the sub control module 122 transmits display data by using aninternal memory (not shown). The sub control module 112 stores displaydata in the internal memory and transmits the display data to thedisplay driving module 120 at predetermined periods.

According to certain embodiments, the sub control module 112 receivesdisplay data from an external device (not shown) through a network bydirectly accessing the communication module 113. By directly accessingthe communication module 113 without going through the main controlmodule 111, the sub control module 112 reduces the power consumed due towake-up of the main control module 111.

The sub control module 112 controls the display driving module 120 todisplay data on a partial area of a display screen of the electronicdevice 100. The display device 130 displays data by using only a partialarea in the entire area of the display screen. In a low power mode, byreducing a display screen area where data is displayed, the powerconsumed for displaying data on a display screen and the power consumedfor emitting backlight to a display screen is reduced. A specificdescription relating thereto refers to FIG. 7.

The sub control module 112 controls the display driving module 120 tolower a frame frequency of a display screen. By lowering a framefrequency of a display screen, the electronic device 100 reduces powerconsumption. For example, when the display device 130 displays a displayscreen at a frame frequency of 60 Hz in a normal mode, the sub controlmodule 112 controls the display driving module 120 to display a displayscreen at a frame frequency of 30 Hz in a low power mode. In certainembodiments, the sub control module 112 controls the display drivingmodule 120 to lower the illuminations of the display screen of theelectronic device 100.

According to certain embodiments, the sub control module 112 furtherincludes an internal memory (not shown). The internal memory (not shown)stores display data to be delivered from the sub control module 112 tothe display driving module 120. In certain embodiments, an internalmemory (not shown) stores commands, data, or programs, which arenecessary for allowing the sub control module 112 to control the displaydriving module 120 in a low power mode. An internal memory (not shown)according to certain embodiments is implemented with Hard Disk Drive(HDD), Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), Flash Memory,Memory Card, and Solid State Drive (SDD).

Although it is shown in FIG. 1 that the sub control module 112 isincluded in the AP 110, according to various embodiments, the subcontrol module 112 is included in a processor separated from the AP 110.A specific description relating thereto refers to FIG. 2.

The communication module 113 transmits or receives data to or from anexternal device (not shown) through a network. The communication module113 according to this embodiment includes at least one of a cellularmodule, a Wi-Fi module, a Bluetooth (BT) module, a Global PositioningSystem (GPS) module, a Near Field communication (NFC) module, and aradio frequency (RF) module. In the communication module 113, at leastpart of a cellular module, a Wi-Fi module, a BT module, a GPS module, aNFC module, and an RF module is included in a processor separated fromthe AP 110. Although it is shown in FIG. 1 that the communication module113 is included together with the main control module 111 in the AP 110,according to various embodiments, the communication module 113 isincluded in a processor separated from the AP 110.

The display controller 114 transmits display data received from the maincontrol module 111 to the display driving module 120. Referring to FIG.1, the display data 30 represents data delivered to the display drivingmodule 120 through the display controller 114 for display on the displaydevice 130. The display controller 114, according to certainembodiments, transmits data to the display driving module 120 at fasterspeed when compared to the interface module 115.

The display controller 114 according to this embodiment use at least oneof RGB I/F, CPU I/F, Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI), MobileDisplay Digital Interface (MDDI), and Parallel Interface. However, thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto and the display controller 114can use all interfaces for delivering display data to the displaydriving module 120 at faster speed than the interface module 115.

According to certain embodiments, the sub control module 112 transmitsdisplay data to the display driving module 120 by using the displaycontroller 114. In certain embodiments, the sub control module 112selects at least one from the display controller 114 and the interfacemodule 115 according to the amount of transmission data and thentransmits display data to the display driving module 120 by using theselected interface.

The interface module 115 transmits display data received from the subcontrol module 112 to the display driving module 120. The interfacemodule 115 corresponds to a transmission interface for low power.Referring to FIG. 1, the display data 40 represents data delivered tothe display driving module 120 through the interface module 115 fordisplay on the display device 130. The interface module 115 transmitsdisplay data to the display driving module 120 through a small number oflines. For example, the interface module 115 transmits display datareceived from the sub control module 112 to the display driving module120 through two data lines. When compared to the display controller 114,the interface module 115 transmits display data at slower data transferrate but at lower power.

According to certain embodiments, in correspondence to a displayinterface (for example, MIPI and RGB Interface) used in the displaycontroller 114 when in a normal mode of the electronic device 100 and adisplay interface (for example, I2C, UART, and SPI) used in theinterface module 115 when in a low power mode, the display drivingmodule 120 includes each separate interface module (not shown) in thecontrol unit 121.

The interface module 115, according to certain embodiments, is at leastone of an I2C interface, a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter(UART) interface, and a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI). However, thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto and the interface module 115can include all interfaces for delivering display data to the displaydriving module 120 at lower power than the display controller 114.

The bus 10 represents a transfer path for delivering data between eachmodule. The AP 110 delivers data between each module through a businside the AP 110. The AP 110 delivers data between each module at fastspeed by using the bus 10 of a fast clock.

In the low power mode, the sub control module 112 lowers the clock ofthe bus 10. The sub control module 112 receives display data from thecommunication module 113 or delivers display data to the displaycontroller 114 or the interface module 115, by using the bus 10 insidethe AP 110 at low power. In certain embodiments, when entering the lowpower mode, the main control module 111 lowers the clock of the bus 10.It is possible to lower the power consumption of the AP 110.

A dedicated interface 20 represents a transfer path for exclusivelydelivering data between two modules. The sub control module 112 deliversdisplay data to the interface module 115 by using the dedicatedinterface 20 between the sub control module 112 and the interface module115. In certain embodiments, the sub control module 112 receives displaydata from the communication module 113 by using a dedicated interface(not shown) between the sub control module 112 and the communicationmodule 113. The AP 110 further reduces the power consumption whencompared to using the high-speed bus 10. In certain embodiments, the subcontrol module 112 delivers display data to the display controller 114at low power, including a dedicated interface (not shown) between thesub control module 112 and the display controller 114.

The display driving module 120 stores the display data received from thesub control module 112 in the first auxiliary storage device 122 andsequentially updates the display data of the second auxiliary storagedevice by using the display data stored in the first auxiliary storagedevice 122. According to certain embodiments, the display driving module120 is implemented with a Display Driver IC (DDI).

In a normal mode, by receiving display data in real-time from the maincontrol module 111, without storing the received display data in thefirst auxiliary storage device 122, the display driving module 120updates the display data in the second auxiliary storage device 123.

In a low power mode, by receiving display data from the sub controlmodule 112, the display driving module 120 stores the received displaydata in the first auxiliary storage device 122. Without transmittingdisplay data in real-time from the sub control module 112, the displaydriving module 120 stores display data received at one time in the firstauxiliary storage device 122 and delivers the display data stored in thefirst auxiliary storage device 122 to the second auxiliary storagedevice 123. According to various embodiments, the control unit 121 ofthe display driving module 120 sequentially delivers display data storedin the first auxiliary storage device 122 to the second auxiliarystorage device 123. In certain embodiments, the control unit 121 of thedisplay driving module 120 modifies display data stored in the firstauxiliary storage device 122 to deliver the modified display data to thesecond auxiliary storage device 123.

Periodically or when a predetermined event (for example, an event forrequesting update of display data stored in a display driving module120) occurs, the sub control module 112 operates the modules of theelectronic device 100, thereby reducing power consumption.

The display driving module 120 includes the control unit 121, the firstauxiliary storage device 122, and the second auxiliary storage device123. According to various embodiments, the first auxiliary storagedevice 122 is RAM and the second auxiliary storage device 123 is GRAM.

The control unit 121 sequentially updates the display data of the secondauxiliary storage device 123 by using the display data stored in thefirst auxiliary storage device 122. In certain embodiments, the controlunit 121 updates the second auxiliary storage device 123 according to apredefined update method, by using the display data stored in the firstauxiliary storage device 122. For example, the predefined update methodincludes an update period and an update amount at one time.

According to various embodiments, the driving module 120 furtherincludes an oscillator 124. The control unit 121 calculates the currenttime by using the oscillator 124 in the display driving module 120 andreports the calculated time to the second auxiliary storage device 123periodically. Without receiving display data corresponding to thecurrent time from the sub control module 112 or the main control module111, the display driving module 120 display the current time on thedisplay device 130 by using an internal clock of the display drivingmodule 120 itself.

Then, the control unit 121 receives an external clock 50 from theoutside of the display driving module 120 periodically to correct thecalculated time. According to various embodiments, the display drivingmodule 120 includes a power module for low power driving of the displaydevice 130.

The display device 130 displays data updated in the second auxiliarystorage device 123 of the display driving module 120. The display device130 includes a touch screen, a touch display, a liquid crystal display,a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emittingdiode display, a flexible display, and a 3D display.

As mentioned above, when entering a low power mode, the electronicdevice 100 increases the operating time of the electronic device 100 byreducing the current consumption of the AP 110 through the sub controlmodule 112.

FIG. 2 illustrates an operation of an electronic device 200 according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, an electronic device 200 includes an AP 210, a lowpower processor 220, a communication module 230, an interface switchmodule 240, a display driving module 250, and a display device (notshown). The AP 210 includes a main control module 211 and a displaycontroller 212. The low power processor 220 includes a sub controlmodule 221, a display controller 222, and an interface module 223.Unlike the sub control module 112 shown in FIG. 1, the sub controlmodule 221 of FIG. 2 is included in the low power processor 220separated from the main control module 211.

The display driving module 250 of FIG. 2 and a display device (notshown) respectively correspond to the display driving module 120 and thedisplay device 130 of FIG. 1, and the main control module 211, the subcontrol module 221, and the communication module 230 of FIG. 2respectively correspond to the main control module 111, the sub controlmodule 112, and the communication module 113 of FIG. 1. Therefore,overlapping description is omitted.

Only components relating to certain embodiments will be described inorder not to obscure the features. Accordingly, it is apparent to thoseskilled in the art that other general components in addition to thecomponents shown in FIG. 2 can be further included.

The electronic device 200 enters the low power mode by a user'smanipulation, its own situational recognition of the electronic device200, or an external event occurrence.

The AP 210 includes the main control module 211 and controls a pluralityof hardware or software components by driving an operating system orexecuting an application program. The AP 210 performs data processingand arithmetic operations on various data including multimedia data.According to various embodiments, the AP 210 further includes othermodules such as a Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) (not shown).

When the electronic device 200 enters a low power mode, the main controlmodule 211 drives the sub control module 221. After driving the subcontrol module 221, the main control module 211 deactivates the displaycontrol of the main control module 211.

The display controller 212 transmits display data received from the maincontrol module 211 to the display driving module 250. The displaycontroller 212 according to certain embodiments transmits data to thedisplay driving module 250 at faster speed when compared to theinterface module 223.

The display controller 212 according to this embodiment uses at leastone of RGB I/F, CPU I/F, MIPI, MDDI, and Parallel Interface. However,the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the display controller212 can use all interfaces for delivering display data to the displaydriving module 250 at faster speed than the interface module 223.

The low power processor 220 operates in a low power mode of theelectronic device 200 and delivers display data to the display drivingmodule 250 in the low power mode. When compared to another processorsuch as the AP 210, the low power processor 220 reduces powerconsumption by using a low power IC consuming less power.

Once the low power processor 220 is driven, the sub control module 221transmits display data to the display driving module 250 through thedisplay controller 222 or the interface module 223.

According to various embodiments, periodically or when a predeterminedevent occurs, the sub control module 221 enters from a standby mode intoan operating mode and transmits display data to the display drivingmodule 250. The predetermined event represents an event for requestingupdate of display data stored in the display driving module 250. Forexample, a predetermined event includes a news update, message, pushnotification, or call.

According to various embodiments, the sub control module 221 receivesdisplay data directly from the communication module 230. By directlyaccessing the communication module 230 without going through the AP 210,the sub control module 221 reduces power consumed due to wake-up of theAP 210. The sub control module 221 controls the display driving module250 through the interface module 223 to display data on a partial areaof a display screen of the electronic device 200, to lower a framefrequency of a display screen, or to lower the illuminations of thedisplay screen of the electronic device 200.

The sub control module 221 further includes an internal memory (notshown). The internal memory (not shown) stores display data to bedelivered from the sub control module 221 to the display driving module250, or stores commands, data, or programs, which are necessary forallowing the sub control module 221 to control the display drivingmodule 250 in a low power mode.

The display controller 222 transmits display data received from the subcontrol module 221 to the interface switch module 240. When compared tothe interface module 223, the display controller 222, according tocertain embodiments, is used when transmitting a large amount of data tothe display driving module 250. The display controller 222 transmitsdata at faster speed through a display interface (for example, an RGBinterface, a CPU interface, an MIPI, an MDDI, and a parallel interface).

The display controller 222, according to certain embodiments, uses atleast one of RGB I/F, CPU I/F, MIPI, MDDI, and Parallel Interface.However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the displaycontroller 222 can use all interfaces for delivering display data to thedisplay driving module 250 at faster speed than the interface module223.

The interface module 223 transmits display data received from the subcontrol module 221 to the display driving module 250. The interfacemodule 223 transmits display data to the display driving module 250through a small number of lines. When compared to the display controller14, the interface module 223 transmits display data at slower datatransfer rate but at lower power.

The interface module 223 according to this embodiment is at least one ofan I2C interface, a UART interface, and an SPI. However, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto and the interface module 223 caninclude all interfaces for delivering display data to the displaydriving module 250 at lower power than the display controller 222.

According to various embodiments, the sub control module 221 selects atleast one interface from the display controller 222 and the interfacemodule 223 according to the amount of transmission data and thentransmits display data to the display driving module 250 by using theselected interface.

The communication module 230 transmits or receives data to or from anexternal device (not shown) through a network. The communication module230 according to this embodiment includes at least one of a cellularmodule, a WiFi module, a BT module, a GPS module, an NFC module, and aRF module. Although it is shown in FIG. 2 that the communication module230 is included in a processor separated from the AP 210, according tovarious embodiments, the communication module 230 be included in the AP210.

The interface switch module 240 switches an interface for deliveringdisplay data to the display driving module 250. The interface switchmodule 240 connects one of the display controller 222 of the sub controlmodule 221 and the display controller 212 of the main control module 211to the display driving module 250. The interface switch module 240 canbe differently implemented according to the type of the displaycontroller 212 or 222. For example, the interface switch module 240 canbe an MIPI interface switch or an RGB interface switch.

When the display controller 212 of the AP 210 and the display controller222 of the low power processor 220 have different interface types, theinterface switch module 240 further include an interface converter (notshown). For example, when the display controller 212 of the AP 210 usesthe MIPI interface and the display controller 222 of the low powerprocessor 220 uses the RGB interface, the interface switch module 240further include an interface converter (not shown) for converting theRGB interface received from the low power processor 220 into the MIPIinterface.

According to various embodiments, the display driving module 250includes an interface module having different types of interfaces. Forexample, the display driving module 250 includes an interface module forthe MIPI interface and I2C interface.

The display driving module 250 stores the display data received from thesub control module 221 in a first auxiliary storage device andsequentially updates display data of a second auxiliary storage deviceby using the display data stored in the first auxiliary storage device122.

FIG. 3 illustrates an operation of an electronic device according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, an electronic device 300 includes an AP 310, adisplay driving module 320, a touch screen 330, and a touch key 340. TheAP 310, the display driving module 320, and the touch screen 330 of FIG.3 correspond to the AP 110, the display driving module 120, and thedisplay device 130 of FIG. 1, respectively. Therefore, overlappingdescription is omitted.

Only components relating to certain embodiments will be described inorder not to obscure the features. Accordingly, it is apparent to thoseskilled in the art that other general components in addition to thecomponents shown in FIG. 3 can be further included. The electronicdevice 300 enters the low power mode by user's manipulation, its ownsituation recognition of the electronic device 300, or external eventoccurrence.

The AP 310 includes the main control module 311 and controls a pluralityof hardware or software components by driving an operating system orexecuting an application program. Although it is shown in FIG. 3 thatthe AP 310 includes both the sub control module 312 and thecommunication module 313, according to various embodiments, the subcontrol module 312 and the communication module 313 are included in aprocessor separated from the AP 310.

According to various embodiments, the main control module 311 or the subcontrol module 312 control the touch screen 330 to display an iconcorresponding to the touch key 340 on the touch screen 330. Thedisplayed icon performs the same function as the touch key 340. Forexample, the main control module 311 or the sub control module 312controls the touch screen 330 through the display driving module 320 ordeactivates the touch key 340.

According to certain embodiments, the main control module 311 or the subcontrol module 312 controls the touch key 340 to reduce the key scanfrequency of the touch key 340 of the electronic device 300.

According to certain embodiments, the main control module 311 or the subcontrol module 312 controls the touch key 340 to turn off the backlightof the touch key 340 of the electronic device 300.

FIG. 4 illustrates an operation of an electronic device according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, the electronic device 400 includes an AP 410 and apower management module 420. The AP 410 of FIG. 4 corresponds to the AP110 of FIG. 1. Therefore, overlapping description is omitted.

Only components relating to certain embodiments will be described inorder not to obscure the features. Accordingly, it is apparent to thoseskilled in the art that other general components in addition to thecomponents shown in FIG. 4 can be further included.

The electronic device 400 enters the low power mode by user'smanipulation, its own situation recognition of the electronic device400, or external event occurrence.

The AP 410 includes the main control module 411 and controls a pluralityof hardware or software components by driving an operating system orexecuting an application program. Although it is shown in FIG. 4 thatthe AP 410 includes both the sub control module 412 and thecommunication module 413, according to various embodiments, the subcontrol module 412 and the communication module 413 are included in aprocessor separated from the AP 410.

According to various embodiments, the main control module 411 or the subcontrol module 412 controls the power management module 430 to lower thepower-off voltage of the electronic device 400 to the cutoff voltage ofthe battery cell. In certain embodiments, the power-off voltagerepresents a voltage for cutting off the power of the electronic device400, which is minimum voltage determined for a stable operation of theelectronic device 400.

For example, even when the battery capacity of the electronic device 400still remains, in order for the stability of the electronic device 400,the electronic device 400 cuts off the power of the electronic device400 when a battery voltage reaches the power-off voltage. According tocertain embodiments, the main control module 411 or the sub controlmodule 412 controls a fuel gauge to lower the power-off voltage of theelectronic device 400 to the cutoff voltage of the battery cell. In anemergency situation, a user uses the electronic device 400 until thebattery is out of power, and the electronic device 400 operates as longas possible.

The power management module 420 manages the power of the electronicdevice 400. For example, the power management module 420 includes aPower Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) or a fuel gauge, for example.

FIG. 5 illustrates an operation of an electronic device according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, the electronic device 500 includes an AP 510 and anadditional information display unit 520. The AP 510 of FIG. 5corresponds to the AP 110 of FIG. 1. Therefore, overlapping descriptionis omitted.

Only components relating to certain embodiments will be described inorder not to obscure the features. Accordingly, it is apparent to thoseskilled in the art that other general components in addition to thecomponents shown in FIG. 5 can be further included.

The electronic device 500 enters the low power mode by user'smanipulation, its own situational recognition of the electronic device500, or external event occurrence.

The AP 510 includes the main control module 511 and controls a pluralityof hardware or software components by driving an operating system orexecuting an application program. Although it is shown in FIG. 5 thatthe AP 510 includes both the sub control module 512 and thecommunication module 513, according to various embodiments, the subcontrol module 512 and the communication module 513 are included in aprocessor separated from the AP 510.

The additional information display unit 520 receives a signal relatingto a network state from the communication module 513 and displays thenetwork state on the additional information display unit 520 on thebasis of the received signal. For example, the additional informationdisplay unit 520 includes an LED, a touch key, a sub display, a sidedisplay, and a rear display.

According to various embodiments, the main control module 511 or the subcontrol module 512 controls the additional information display unit 520to display a network state on the additional information display unit520, or, checks a network state by directly accessing the communicationmodule 513 and displays the network state on the additional informationdisplay unit 520. For example, the main control module 511 or the subcontrol module 521 checks a service network state by directly accessingthe communication module 513 through a General Purpose IO (GPIO) 1 pinof the communication module 513.

According to various embodiments, the GPIO 1 pin of the communicationmodule 513 is directly connected to the additional information displayunit, and the signal relating to a network state is delivered throughthe GPIO 1 pin. A service network state is checked with low power byusing the additional information display unit 520. For example, theadditional information display unit 520 is an LED and a user checks aservice network state through an ON or OFF of the LED. In order for anON or OFF of the LED, a switch such as an FET switch is used.

FIG. 6 illustrates an electronic device 600 according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. The electronic device 600, forexample, configures all or part of the above-mentioned electronic device100, 200, 300, 400, or 500 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, the electronic device 600 includes at least oneapplication processor (AP) 610, a sub control module 612, acommunication module 620, a SIM card 624, a memory 630, a sensor module640, an input device 650, a display module 660, an interface 670, anaudio module 680, a camera module 691, a power management module 695, abattery 696, an indicator 697, and a motor 698.

The AP 610 controls a plurality of hardware or software componentsconnected to the AP 610 and also performs processing and operations onvarious data including multimedia data by executing an operating systemor an application program. The AP 610 is implemented with a system onchip (SoC), for example. According to various embodiments, the AP 610further includes a graphic processing unit (GPU) (not shown). Althoughit is shown in FIG. 6 that the sub control module 612 is included in aprocessor separated from the AP 610, according to various embodiments,the sub control module 612 is included in the AP 610.

When the electronic device 600 enters a low power mode, the sub controlmodule 612 operates the modules of the electronic device 600. The subcontrol module 612 reduces the power consumption by controlling othermodules in a low power mode. For example, the sub control module 612transmits display data to the display driving module 662 in a low powermode.

The communication module 620 performs data transmission in acommunication between the electronic device 600 and other electronicdevices connected thereto through a network. According to variousembodiments, the communication module 620 includes a cellular module621, a Wi-Fi module 623, a BT module 625, a GPS module 627, an NFCmodule 628, and an RF module 629.

The cellular module 621 provides voice calls, video calls, text messageservices, or internet services through a communication network (forexample, LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, WCDMA, UMTS, WiBro, or GSM). The cellularmodule 621 identifies and authenticates an electronic device in acommunication network by using a subscriber identification module (forexample, the SIM card 624), for example. According to certainembodiments, the cellular module 621 performs at least part of afunction that the AP 610 provides. For example, the cellular module 621performs at least part of a multimedia control function.

According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the cellularmodule 621 includes a communication processor (CP) and is implementedwith SoC, for example. As shown in FIG. 6, components such as thecellular module 621 (for example, a CP), the memory 630, and the powermanagement module 695 are separated from the AP 610, but according tocertain embodiments, the AP 610 is implemented including some of theabove-mentioned components (for example, the cellular module 621).

According to certain embodiments, the AP 610 or the cellular module 621(for example, a CP) loads instructions or data, which are received fromat least one of a nonvolatile memory and one of other componentsconnected thereto, into a volatile memory and then processes theinstructions or data. The AP 610 or the cellular module 621 stores datareceived from or generated by at least one of other components in anonvolatile memory.

Each of the Wi-Fi module 623, the BT module 625, the GPS module 627, andthe NFC module 628 includes a processor for processing data transmittedor received through a corresponding module. Although the cellular module621, the Wi-Fi module 623, the BT module 625, the GPS module 627, andthe NFC module 628 are shown as separate blocks in FIG. 6, according tocertain embodiments, some modules (for example, at least two) of thecellular module 621, the Wi-Fi module 623, the BT module 625, the GPSmodule 627, and the NFC module 628 are included in one integrated chip(IC) or an IC package. For example, at least some modules (for example,a CP corresponding to the cellular module 621 and a Wi-Fi processorcorresponding to the Wi-Fi module 623) among the processors respectivelycorresponding to the cellular module 621, the Wi-Fi module 623, the BTmodule 625, the GPS module 627, and the NFC module 628 are implementedwith a single SoC.

The RF module 629 is responsible for data transmission/reception, forexample, the transmission or reception of an RF signal. Although notshown in the drawings, the RF module 629 includes, for example, atransceiver, a power amp module (PAM), a frequency filter, or a lownoise amplifier (LNA). The RF module 629 further includes components fortransmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves in a free space as awireless communication, for example, conductors or conducting wires.Although the cellular module 621, the Wi-Fi module 623, the BT module625, the GPS module 627, and the NFC module 628 share one RF module 629as shown in FIG. 6, according to certain embodiments, at least one ofthe cellular module 621, the Wi-Fi module 623, the BT module 625, theGPS module 627, and the NFC module 628 performs the transmission of anRF signal through an additional RF module.

The SIM card 624 is a card including a subscriber identification moduleand is inserted into a slot formed at a specific location of anelectronic device. The SIM card 624 includes a unique identificationinformation (for example, an integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID))or subscriber information (for example, an international mobilesubscriber identity (IMSI)).

The memory 630 includes an internal memory 632 or an external memory634. The internal memory 632 includes at least one of a volatile memory(for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM),synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)) and a non-volatile memory (for example,one time programmable read only memory (OTPROM), programmable ROM(PROM), erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable andprogrammable ROM (EEPROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, Not AND (NAND) flashmemory, and Not OR (NOR) flash memory).

According to certain embodiments, the internal memory 632 is a SolidState Drive (SSD). The external memory 634 further includes flash drive,for example, compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), Micro-SD, Mini-SD,extreme digital (xD), or a memory stick. The external memory 634 isfunctionally connected to the electronic device 600 through variousinterfaces. According to certain embodiments, the electronic device 600further includes a storage device (or a storage medium) such as a harddrive.

The sensor module 640 measures physical quantities or detects anoperating state of the electronic device 600, thereby converting themeasured or detected information into electrical signals. The sensormodule 640 includes at least one of a gesture sensor 640A, a gyro sensor640B, a pressure sensor 640C, a magnetic sensor 640D, an accelerationsensor 640E, a grip sensor 640F, a proximity sensor 640G, a color sensor640H (for example, a red, green, blue (RGB) sensor), a bio sensor 640I,a temperature/humidity sensor 640J, an illumination sensor 640K, and anultra violet (UV) sensor 640M. In certain embodiments, the sensor module640 includes an E-nose sensor (not shown), an electromyography (EMG)sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor (not shown), anelectrocardiogram (ECG) sensor (not shown), an infrared (IR) sensor (notshown), an iris sensor (not shown), or a fingerprint sensor (not shown).The sensor module 640 further includes a control circuit for controllingat least one sensor therein.

The user input device 650 includes a touch panel 652, a (digital) pensensor 654, a key 656, or an ultrasonic input device 658. The touchpanel 652 recognizes a touch input through at least one of capacitive,resistive, infrared, or ultrasonic methods, for example. The touch panel652 further includes a control circuit. In the case of the capacitivemethod, both direct touch and proximity recognition are possible. Thetouch panel 652 further includes a tactile layer for providing a tactileresponse to a user.

The (digital) pen sensor 654 is implemented through a method similar oridentical to that of receiving a user's touch input or an additionalsheet for recognition. The key 656 includes a physical button, a touchkey, an optical key, or a keypad, for example. The ultrasonic inputdevice 658, as a device checking data by detecting sound waves through amicrophone (for example, the mic 688) in the electronic device 600,provides wireless recognition through an input tool generatingultrasonic signals. According to certain embodiments, the electronicdevice 600 receives a user input from an external device (for example, acomputer or a server) connected to the electronic device 1801 throughthe communication module 620.

The display module 660 includes a display driving module 662, a panel664, a hologram device 666, or a projector 668. According to certainembodiments, the display driving module 662 further includes a controlcircuit for controlling the panel 664, the hologram device 666, or theprojector 668. The panel 664 includes a liquid-crystal display (LCD) oran active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AM-OLED). The panel 664is implemented to be flexible, transparent, or wearable, for example.The panel 664 and the touch panel 652 can be configured with one module.The hologram 666 shows three-dimensional images in the air by using theinterference of light. The projector 668 displays an image by projectinglight on a screen. The screen, for example, can be placed inside oroutside the electronic device 600.

The interface 670 includes a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI)672, a universal serial bus (USB) 674, an optical interface 676, or aD-subminiature (sub) 678, for example. In certain embodiments, theinterface 670 includes a mobile high-definition link (MHL) interface, asecure Digital (SD) card/multi-media card (MMC) interface, or aninfrared data association (IrDA) standard interface.

The audio module 680 converts sound into electrical signals and convertselectrical signals into sounds. The audio module 680 processes soundinformation input or output through a speaker 682, a receiver 684, anearphone 686, or a mic 688.

The camera module 691 capturing a still image and a video, according tocertain embodiments, includes at least one image sensor (for example, afront sensor or a rear sensor), a lens (not shown), an image signalprocessor (ISP) (not shown), or a flash (not shown) (for example, an LEDor a xenon lamp).

The power management module 695 manages the power of the electronicdevice 600. Although not shown in the drawings, the power managementmodule 695 includes a power management IC (PMIC), a charger integratedcircuit (IC), or a battery or fuel gauge, for example.

The PMIC is built in an IC or SoC semiconductor, for example. A chargingmethod is classified into a wired method and a wireless method. Thecharger IC charges a battery and prevents overvoltage or overcurrentflow from a charger. According to certain embodiments, the charger ICincludes a charger IC for at least one of a wired charging method and awireless charging method. Wireless charging methods include, forexample, a magnetic resonance method, a magnetic induction method, or anelectromagnetic method. An additional circuit for wireless chargingincluding, for example, a circuit such as a coil loop, a resonantcircuit, or a rectifier circuit, can be added.

The battery gauge measures the remaining amount of the battery 696, or avoltage, current, or temperature of the battery 696 during charging. Thebattery 696 stores or generates electricity and supplies power to theelectronic device 600 by using the stored or generated electricity. Thebattery 696, for example, includes a rechargeable battery or a solarbattery.

The indicator 697 displays a specific state of the electronic device 600or part thereof (for example, the AP 610), for example, a booting state,a message state, or a charging state. The indicator 697 includes an LED.The motor 698 converts electrical signals into mechanical vibration.Although not shown in the drawings, the electronic device 600 includes aprocessing device (for example, a GPU) for mobile TV support. Aprocessing device for mobile TV support processes media data accordingto the standards such as digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), digitalvideo broadcasting (DVB), or media flow.

FIG. 7 illustrates a display screen displayed when an electronic deviceis in a low power mode according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

The display screen of FIG. 7 represents a screen displayed by theelectronic device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, or 600 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6.Accordingly, even omitted contents, which are described for theelectronic device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, or 600 shown in FIGS. 1-6,can be applied to FIG. 7.

The sub control module 112 controls the display driving module 120through the display controller 114 to display data in a partial area ofthe display screen of the electronic device 100. In certain embodiments,the display device 180 displays data only in partial areas 710, 720, and740 of the display screen.

According to certain embodiments, the display driving module 120displays the current time on the display device 130 by using theinternal clock of the display driving module 120. A user checks a timefrom area 710 (such as time information) from the display screen withoutwaking up the AP 110 of the electronic device 100. In certainembodiments, the display driving module 120 receives an external clock50 periodically and correct a time by internal clock, thereby increasingthe time accuracy.

According to various embodiments, the display driving module 120receives display data at one time from the sub control module 112 andstores the received display data in the first auxiliary storage device122. In certain embodiments, periodically or when a predetermined eventoccurs, the sub control module 221 enters from a standby mode into anoperating mode to transmit display data to the display driving module250. For example, the predetermined event represent an event forrequesting update of display data stored in the display driving module250, for example, news update, message, and push notification.

The display driving module 120 delivers the display data stored in thefirst auxiliary storage device 122 to the second auxiliary storagedevice 123. The display driving module 120 delivers the display datastored in the first auxiliary storage device 122 according to apredefined update method. For example, the predefined update methodincludes an update interval and an update amount at one time. In certainembodiments, the display driving module 120 modifies the display datastored in the first auxiliary storage device 122 and delivers themodified display data to the second auxiliary storage device 123.

The display driving module 120 updates the display data of the secondauxiliary storage device 123 by using the display data stored in thefirst auxiliary storage device 122 at predetermined time intervals. In alimited display screen, which is a partial area of a display screen, asshown in FIG. 7, the updated news content is sequentially displayed onthe display screen at predetermined periods.

According to certain embodiments, the sub control module 112 controlsthe display driving module 120 to display an icon performing the samefunction as the touch key on a touch screen.

Referring to FIG. 7, the sub control module 112 deactivates the touchkey 730 and display the icon 740 corresponding to the touch key 730 onthe display screen. For example, the icon 740 displayed on a displayscreen includes a menu, a back, and a home key.

By displaying the icon 740 on a display screen instead of the touch key730, the power consumed for controlling the touch key 730 is reduced.

According to certain embodiments, the sub control module 112 controls anLED 750 to display a network state through the LED 750 during a lowpower mode. The main control module 511 or the sub control module 512checks a network state by directly accessing the communication module513. In certain embodiments, the LED 750 receives a signal relating to anetwork state by directly connecting to the communication module 513 anddisplays a service network state through a change of the LED 750 on thebasis of the received signal at low power. For example, a change of theLED 750 includes switching ON or OFF, a color change, and a brightnesschange.

As shown in FIG. 7, a user check a service network state through ON orOFF of the LED 750.

According to certain embodiments, the LED 750 is used for purposes otherthan for representing a service network state in a normal mode, or isnot used for a normal mode, but used only for a low power mode.

FIG. 8 illustrates a low power driving process according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. The process disclosed in FIG. 8includes steps processed in the electronic device 100, 200, 300, 400,500, or 600 shown in FIGS. 1-7. In certain embodiments, even omittedcontents, which are described above for the electronic device 100, 200,300, 400, 500, or 600 shown in FIGS. 1-7, are applied to the processdescribed with reference to FIG. 8.

In step 810, when the electronic device 100 enters a low power mode, thesub control module 112 receives a signal for low power control from themain control module 111.

In step 820, the sub control module 112 transmits display data to thedisplay driving module 120 in response to the signal.

The power consumption of the electronic device 100 is reduced bycontrolling the display driving module 120 through the sub controlmodule 112.

FIG. 9 illustrates a low power driving process according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. The process disclosed in FIG. 9includes steps processed in the electronic device 100, 200, 300, 400,500, or 600 shown in FIGS. 1-7. In certain embodiments, even omittedcontents, which are described above for the electronic device 100, 200,300, 400, 500, or 600 shown in FIGS. 1-7, are applied to the processdescribed with reference to FIG. 9.

In step 910, when the electronic device 100 enters a low power mode, thesub control module 112 receives a signal for low power control from themain control module 111.

In step 920, the sub control module 112 displays an icon which performsthe same function as the touch key 340 on a touch screen through thecontrol of the touch screen.

In step 930, the sub control module 112 deactivates the touch key 340.

The power consumption of the electronic device 100 is reduced bysubstituting the touch key 340 through the sub control module 112.

FIG. 10 illustrates a low power driving process according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. The process disclosed in FIG. 10includes steps processed in the electronic device 100, 200, 300, 400,500, or 600 shown in FIGS. 1-7. In certain embodiments, even omittedcontents, which are described above for the electronic device 100, 200,300, 400, 500, or 600 shown in FIGS. 1-7, are applied to the processdescribed with reference to FIG. 10.

In step 1010, when the electronic device 100 enters a low power mode,the power management module 430 receives a signal for low power controlfrom the main control module.

In step 1020, the power management module 430 lowers the power-offvoltage of the electronic device 100 to the cutoff voltage of a batterycell.

By lowering the power-off voltage of the electronic device 100, thepower consumption of the electronic device 100 is reduced.

FIG. 11 illustrates a low power driving process according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. The process disclosed in FIG. 11includes steps processed in the electronic device 100, 200, 300, 400,500, or 600 shown in FIGS. 1-7. In certain embodiments, even omittedcontents, which are described above for the electronic device 100, 200,300, 400, 500, or 600 shown in FIGS. 1-7, are applied to the processdescribed with reference to FIG. 11.

In step 1110, when the electronic device 100 enters a low power mode,the sub control module 112 receives a signal for low power control fromthe main control module 111.

In step 1120, the sub control module 112 checks a network state byaccessing the communication module 113.

In step 1130, the sub control module 112 displays the network state onthe additional information display unit 520.

Since the sub control module 112 displays the network state on theadditional information display unit 520, the power consumption of theelectronic device 100 is reduced.

FIG. 12 illustrates a low power driving process according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

The process disclosed in FIG. 12 includes steps processed in theelectronic device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, or 600 shown in FIGS. 1-7. Incertain embodiments, even omitted contents, which are described abovefor the electronic device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, or 600 shown in FIGS.1-7, are applied to the process described with reference to FIG. 12.

In step 1210, the additional information display unit 520 receives asignal relating to network state from the communication module 113.

In step 1220, the additional information display unit 520 displays thenetwork state on the basis of the signal.

The additional information display unit 520 reduces the powerconsumption of the electronic device 100 by directly receiving a signalrelating to a network state from the communication module 113.

As described above, when an electronic device enters a low power mode,its power consumption is reduced. A user uses an electronic device aslong as possible in an emergency situation.

Each of the above-mentioned components of the electronic deviceaccording to the present disclosure can be configured with at least onecomponent and the name of a corresponding component can vary accordingto the kind of an electronic device. An electronic device according tothe present disclosure can include at least one of the above-mentionedcomponents, cannot include some of the above-mentioned components, orcan further include another component. Additionally, some components ofan electronic device according to the present disclosure are combinedand configured as one entity, so that functions of previouscorresponding components are performed identically.

The term “module” used in this disclosure, for example, can mean a unitincluding a combination of at least one of hardware, software, andfirmware. The term “module” and the term “unit”, “logic”, “logicalblock”, “component”, or “circuit” can be interchangeably used. A“module” can be a minimum unit or part of an integrally configuredcomponent. A “module” can be a minimum unit performing at least onefunction or part thereof. A “module” can be implemented mechanically orelectronically. For example, a “module” according to various embodimentsof the present disclosure can include at least one of anapplication-specific IC (ASIC) chip performing certain steps,field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a programmable-logic device,all of which are known or to be developed in the future.

According to various embodiments, at least part of a device (forexample, modules or functions thereof) or a method (for example, steps)according to this disclosure, for example, as in a form of a programmingmodule, can be implemented using an instruction stored in non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media. When at least one processor (forexample, the processor 210 executes an instruction, it can perform afunction corresponding to the instruction. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media can include the memory 630 of FIG. 6,for example. At least part of a programming module can be implemented(for example, executed) by processor 110, for example. At least part ofa programming module can include a module, a program, a routine, sets ofinstructions, or a process to perform at least one function, forexample.

The non-transitory computer-readable storage media can include MagneticMedia such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetic tape, OpticalMedia such as Compact Disc ROM (CD-ROM) and Digital Versatile Disc(DVD), Magneto-Optical Media such as Floptical Disk, and a hardwaredevice especially configured to store and perform a program instruction(for example, a programming module) such as ROM, RAM, and flash memory.Additionally, a program instruction can include high-level language codeexecutable by a computer using an interpreter in addition to machinecode created by a complier. The hardware device can be configured tooperate as at least one software module to perform a step of thisdisclosure and vice versa.

A module or a programming module according to the present disclosure caninclude at least one of the above-mentioned components, cannot includesome of the above-mentioned components, or can further include anothercomponent. Steps performed by a programming module or other componentsaccording to the present disclosure can be executed through asequential, parallel, repetitive or heuristic method. Additionally, somesteps can be executed in a different order or be omitted. Alternatively,other steps can be added.

Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplaryembodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to oneskilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompasssuch changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A low power driving method for a mobile device,the method comprising: controlling, by at least one processor of themobile device, the mobile device to enter a low power mode; and inresponse to entering the low power mode, automatically: deactivating atleast one touch key of the mobile device, which is located outside adisplay of the mobile device, and displaying at least one iconrepresenting the deactivated at least one touch key on the display toreduce power consumption, without a user input, wherein the at least oneicon representing the at least one touch key is displayed adjacent tothe at least one touch key, and wherein the display and the at least onetouch key are positioned in a front surface of the mobile device.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor includes a maincontrol module and a sub control module, and wherein the sub controlmodule is configured to operate in the low power mode.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, further comprising: detecting a predetermined event forrequesting display data; and operating the sub control module inresponse to an occurrence of the predetermined event.
 4. The method ofclaim 2, further comprising: accessing, by the sub control module, acommunication module of the mobile device; and receiving display datafrom the communication module.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising in response to entering the low power mode, automatically,lowering a frame frequency of a display screen.
 6. The method of claim1, further comprising in response to entering the low power mode,automatically, reducing a key scan frequency of the at least one touchkey.
 7. A mobile device comprising: a display; at least one touch keylocated outside the display; and at least one processor coupled to thedisplay and the at least one touch key, configured to: control themobile device to enter a low power mode; and in response to entering thelow power mode, automatically, deactivate the at least one touch key,and display at least one icon representing the deactivated at least onetouch key on the display to reduce power consumption, without a userinput, wherein the at least one icon representing the at least one touchkey is displayed adjacent to the at least one touch key, and wherein thedisplay and the at least one touch key are positioned in a front surfaceof the mobile device.
 8. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the atleast one processor includes a main control module and a sub controlmodule; and wherein the sub control module is configured to operate inthe low power mode.
 9. The mobile device of claim 8, wherein the subcontrol module is further configured to operate when a predeterminedevent for requesting display data occurs.
 10. The mobile device of claim8, wherein the sub control module is included in a low power processorseparated from the main control module of the mobile device and the subcontrol module comprises a transmission interface configured to transmitor receive data to or from the main control module and a communicationmodule.
 11. The mobile device of claim 10, wherein the low powerprocessor further comprises a display controller configured to supportat least one of a high-speed serial interface and a parallel interface,wherein the sub control module is configured to transmit display data toa display driving module electronically connected to the display byusing at least one selected from the display controller and thetransmission interface according to an amount of transmission data. 12.The mobile device of claim 7, wherein a sub control module is furtherconfigured to receive display data or deliver the display data to adisplay driving module electronically connected to the display by usinga bus inside the at least one processor or a dedicated interface.